Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care
General description
The Child and Youth Care degree program was developed in collaboration with the
School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria. Since 2002, all
graduating CYC students receive a UCFV degree.
This program provides
degree-completion opportunities for students from a range of human service
disciplines. The CYC program is tailored to part-time students and those already
in the workforce, with core course offerings scheduled for afternoons and
evenings. Students without a background in the human services field may apply to
the program following successful completion of entrance requirements.
The BA in Child and Youth Care is
designed to offer credit-based professional education to practitioners in human
services agencies working with children, youth, and families. Most child and
youth care workers are balancing agency, family, personal, and professional
needs as they pursue training or upgrading in an increasingly demanding and
complex field.
Child and youth care is an
expanding field. It crosses a range of work settings and areas of practice,
including residential/group home programs, regular and alternative school
programs, day care and early childhood programs, child life/hospital-based
programs, youth justice/ probation/young offender programs, special needs foster
care, parent/counsellor resources, programs for people with mental disabilities,
and early intervention and child development centres.
Workers, supervisors, managers, and
trainers in these programs bring a diverse set of backgrounds and credentials to
their positions. Increasingly, an undergraduate degree is sought by employers
for the more desirable employment situations in most areas in the field. This
has led to a growing number of practitioners in line supervision and management
positions investing in professional education to complete this BA degree.
The breadth of the child and youth care field requires a primary curriculum
focus on generic development and social competence as a context for therapeutic
intervention.
The degree is awarded following
successful completion of a minimum of 120 recognized credits. You may enter the
program upon completion of related certificate and diploma programs, or one full
year of university-transfer courses, providing they meet the program
requirements. The 200-level CYC courses may be taken by students prior to
acceptance into the degree program with permission of the department head if
seats are available. The program of study includes core and elective courses.
The program curriculum was
originally developed by the UVic School of Child and Youth Care. Changes may be
made in consultation with the BC CYC Education Consortium.
Entrance requirements
1. Admission to the CYC program requires at least 30 credits of work as
defined below:
a. 30 credits of university-level
courses with a grade point average of at least 2.33 (C+), including six credits
of first year English and/or
Communications with a minimum combined grade point average on the six credits
of C+ or better
or
b. A certificate in Early
Childhood Education or other human service certificate program with a grade
point average of at least 2.84 (B), including six credits of first year English
and/or Communications with a
minimum combined average on the six credits of C+ or better (see Note 1).
Note 1: Students who have completed an ECE or other human services
certificate or diploma program with a 2.84 (B) average or higher may be given
block credit for this training (up to 30 credits for a certificate and 60
credits for a two-year diploma).
2. An orientation and interview is normally required prior to admission
to the program. Paid or volunteer experience with children or youth in a program
setting is considered in the admissions decision.
It is strongly recommended that applicants for the program have a current first
aid certificate and updated Rubella and TB clearance.
How to apply
1. Submit the application fee along with your UCFV application for
admission form to the Admissions and Records (A&R) office. Application forms are
available form any A&R or Student Services office. You can also print an
application form from our website at
www.ufv.ca/ar, or you can apply directly through the internet at
www.pas.bc.ca. See the
Admissions Guide
for a complete list of application dates and general admission information.
Additional documents required for a complete application:
• letter of intent outlining
past experience and career objectives
• You must submit an official
sealed transcript from every post-secondary institution you have attended,
whether or not you have completed courses there. Transcripts received in
the original sealed envelope of the issuing institution are considered to be
official.
2. Applications open October 1. Students are advised to apply close to
the opening date as limited seats are available.
3. Students seeking application to the CYC degree program are required to
attend an orientation. Once your application is complete, you will be informed
of the orientation date and time.
4. You will be advised of an admission decision and provided with
registration information. A deposit is required when you register (see the
Fees and Other Costs
section). This money will be applied to the tuition fees and is not
refundable.
Fees and additional costs
Fees stated are in effect for 2004/05 and are subject to change for 2005/06. See
the Fees and Other Costs
section for more information.
Visiting students
Since the CYC courses in the program are transferable to the University of
Victoria, some students may wish to take them at UCFV for the purpose of
completing their studies at UVic. UVic students require a Letter of Permission
from UVic as well as an application to UCFV as a visiting student. Please
consult the Registrar’s office at UVic. Applicants visiting from other
institutions may not receive the same priority in registration as UCFV students.
Courses at UVic and other institutions
Students who wish to pursue the degree program more quickly than the part-time
offerings at UCFV allow, may arrange to take distance education courses through
UVic on an individual basis. You must obtain permission in advance from the UCFV
program head. A Request for Letter of Permission form for this purpose may be
obtained from the Admissions and Records office. You must still apply to UVic as
a visiting student.
Total transfer and course challenge credits may not normally exceed 90 credits;
however, students pursuing a second degree are permitted to transfer a maximum
of 50% of the CYC degree credits from their previous degree. All CYC degree
requirements must be met. Not more than 18 upper-level (300 and 400 course
numbers) credits will count toward the upper-level requirements for the degree.
Graduation
All degree candidates must complete and submit the Request to Graduate form to
the Admissions and Records office by April 1.
All program requirements must be
completed by April 30. This includes any transfer credits from other
institutions. Students who enroll in the Spring semester to complete their
program will qualify for the following year’s graduation.
Standing required for continuance
In order to graduate from the BA in CYC, a C+ or higher is required in the
following:
• All CYC core courses
• ENGL/CMNS requirements
• Developmental psychology
requirement.
Students will be required to maintain a cumulative grade point average and
semester grade average of C+ (GPA 2.33) or higher. Students who fail to meet the
required semester and/or cumulative GPA will be placed on academic warning.
Students will be expected to repeat any course from the categories listed above
if they received lower than a C+ grade. If a student fails to meet the GPA
requirements after being placed on academic warning, they may be withdrawn from
the program.
Students receiving academic warning
for low grades or unacceptable student behaviour, will not normally be permitted
to participate in the practicum component of the program.
Regulations concerning practica
The department head reserves the right to approve any agency or institution that
provides placements for student practica, and to change any placement assigned
to a student. Students are placed in practicum settings in accordance with their
professional background and current learning needs. You have the right to be
informed in writing of the reasons for any change in placement. You may be
required to withdraw from a practicum course if none of the available practicum
agencies will accept you.
A criminal record check is required
prior to practicum placement.
Students are required to provide
their own transportation to and from practicum sites.
A special note about practicum:
Field experience is an integral part of the CYC degree. Students will
complete two, 300-hour practica while in the program. There are a variety of
excellent practicum sites in the Fraser Valley and throughout the Lower Mainland
available to our students. The CYC faculty has links to many agencies and
organizations in the child and youth care field. Different sites have different
requirements regarding the amount of time a student will need to spend there, in
order to provide the best learning and experience. If you are currently working
in a regular position, be prepared to adjust your schedule to meet the demands
of practica. Some students save up vacation time; others have taken a leave to
complete the required field experience hours.
Program requirements
Completion of at least 120 credits of which at least 42 must be upper-level
(300–400) with a minimum grade point average of 2.33.
Program outline
First Year
Course | Title | Credits |
CMNS 1551 | Communications for Human Services | 3 |
CMNS 2501 | Report Writing for Business, Information Technologies,Social and Human Services | 3 |
PSYC 1012 | Introduction to Psychology I | 3 |
PSYC 1022 | Introduction to Psychology II | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Total | 30 |
Note1: CMNS courses can be
replaced with first-year and second-year university-level English.
Note2: PSYC 101 & 102 are
prerequisites to PSYC 250.
Note: Graduates of approved ECE certificate and diploma programs are
eligible for block transfer credits.
Second Year
Course | Title | Credits |
CYC 201 | Introduction to Child and Youth Care | 3 |
CYC 210 | Professional Practice in Child and Youth Care | 3 |
CYC 220 | Theoretical Foundations for Child and Youth Care | 3 |
CYC 267 | Introduction to Working with Individuals in Child and Youth Care | 3 |
CYC 268 | Introduction to Working with Groups and Families in Child and Youth Care | 3 |
PSYC 250 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Total | 30 |
Third Year
Note: Students may not register for 300-level core CYC courses until they
have completed all 200-level core CYC courses and are admitted to the program.
Course | Title | Credits |
CYC 310 A/B | Supervised Practicum | 9 |
CYC 320 | Administration in CYC Practice | 3 |
CYC 321 | Critical Issues in Current CYC Practice | 3 |
CYC 340 | Developmental Theory in CYC Practice | 3 |
CYC 341 | Applying Developmental Theory in CYC Practice | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Total | 30 |
Fourth Year
Note: Students may not register in any 400-level core CYC courses, except
423 and 425, until they have completed all CYC 200- and 300-level core courses.
Course | Title | Credits |
CYC 410A/B | Advanced Supervised Practicum | 9 |
CYC 423 | Research Methods in CYC | 3 |
CYC 425 | Data Analysis in CYC | 3 |
CYC 467 | Advanced Skills with Individuals in CYC | 3 |
CYC 468 | Advanced Skills with Groups in Child and Youth Care | 3 |
CYC 469 | Advanced Skills with Families in CYC | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Total | 30 |
Recommended areas for elective courses could include arts, science, human
services, English, and criminology. Electives must be university transferable.
CYC-sponsored electives may also be offered under courses CYC 260, 360 and 460.
To confirm elective transferability, contact the ECE/CYC program head.
Course listings
For complete details on courses see
Course descriptions.
Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care
Child Welfare Specialization
Program outline
First Year
Course | Title | Credits |
CMNS 1551 | Communications for Human Services | 3 |
CMNS 2501 | Report Writing for Business Information TechnologiesSocial and Human Services | 3 |
PSYC 1012 | Introduction to Psychology I | 3 |
PSYC 1022 | Introduction to Psychology II | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Total | 30 |
Note1: CMNS courses can be
replaced with first-year and second-year university-level English.
Note2: PSYC 101 & 102 are
prerequisites to PSYC 250.
Note: Graduates of approved ECE certificate and diploma programs are
eligible for block transfer credits.
Second Year
Course | Title | Credits |
CYC 201 | Introduction to Child and Youth Care | 3 |
CYC 210 | Professional Practice in Child and Youth Care | 3 |
CYC 220 | Theoretical Foundations for Child and Youth Care | 3 |
CYC 267 | Introduction to Working with Individuals in Child and Youth Care | 3 |
CYC 268 | Introduction to Working with Groups and Families in Child and Youth Care | 3 |
PSYC 250 | Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Total | 30 |
Third Year
Note: Students may not register for 300-level core CYC courses until they have
completed all 200-level core CYC courses and are admitted to the program.
Course | Title | Credits |
CYC 310 | A/B Supervised Practicum | 9 |
CYC 320 | Administration in CYC Practice | 3 |
CYC 321 | Critical Issues in Current CYC Practice | 3 |
CYC 340 | Developmental Theory in CYC Practice | 3 |
CYC 341 | Applying Developmental Theory in CYC Practice | 3 |
SOWK 312 | Legal Knowledge for Social Work Practice | 3 |
SOWK 394 | Substance Abuse Issues | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Elective | Approved by department | 3 |
Total | 33 |
Fourth Year
Note: Students may not register in any 400-level core CYC courses, except 423
and 425, until they have completed all CYC 200- and 300-level core courses.
Course | Title | Credits |
SOWK 412 | Legal Skills for Social Work Practice | 3 |
CYC 410 A/B | Advanced Supervised Practicum | 9 |
CYC 423 | Research Methods in CYC | 3 |
CYC 425 | Data Analysis in CYC | 3 |
CYC 467 | Advanced Skills with Individuals in CYC | 3 |
CYC 468 | Advanced Skills with Groups in Child and Youth Care | 3 |
CYC 469 | Advanced Skills with Families in CYC | 3 |
CYC 496 | Special Topics: Disability Issues | 3 |
Total | 30 |
Recommended areas for elective courses could include arts, science, human
services, English, and criminology. Electives must be university-transferable.
CYC-sponsored electives may also be offered under courses CYC 260, 360, and 460.
To confirm elective transferability, contact the ECE/CYC program head.
Course listings
For complete details on courses see
Course descriptions.
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